Two weeks from today, on March 27, I will be releasing The Waterboy. It will be free and available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. Here is the cover, blurb, and a short behind-the-scenes about the book.

It’s been a strange week. And by “strange,” I mean it was like there were an extra six really-high highs and kinda-sucky lows stuffed into it without much of a breather between one or the other. So, for posterity, here are the highlights, and a moment to be grateful, too.

Have you been having trouble finding yarn to substitute for Knit Picks Wool of the Andes for the Just Plain Gloves or Just Plain Mittens patterns? Do you have trouble substituting yarn in general? Read this.

When it comes to self-makeovers, there is no louder voice about what "should be done" than the one coming from between our ears. And there is nothing wrong with self-reflection and a determination to do something better in the coming year. But there are certain things that we will never be “ready” for until we start doing them.

For many, the holidays can be a difficult time of year. I recently shared a one-minute testimony about how I’ve found peace after our family tragedy, and wanted to share it with you. I hope it blesses you.

Cover reveal: The Waterboy (A Rise of the Grigori Story)
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I'm thrilled to share with you the cover of my novella, the prequel to my upcoming young adult science fantasy series Rise of the Grigori. In this short eBook, meet Zale, a young boy with a big secret. About the story:
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Zale Teague grew up thinking he was an ordinary boy… until the day he called lightning from the skies and caused an explosion with horrific results. Now, at only eleven, he is on the run to protect his loved ones from disaster. But can he ever outrun the demon within?
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The book will be available for free exclusively to newsletter subscribers on March 27. Want to make sure you get it? Sign up at www.talenawinters.com/contact (or through the link in my profile).
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I can't wait to share it with you!
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Cover credit: The amazing @fionajaydemedia.
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#thewaterboy #writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #theundinestear #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori #fantasyadventure

My new Graceful Slippers pattern has gotten a lot of great feedback already. Super easy to do, this is a wonderful project to make while visiting or watching a show, and ends tied in a pretty little bow. :-)
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I love carrying a pair of these around in my purse to combat cold floor syndrome while out visiting.
Get the knitting pattern at
www.talenawinters.com/graceful-slippers.
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What's your favourite slipper pattern?
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#gracefulslippers #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

I read Divergent at Christmas time, and enjoyed it SO much. Great writing, nearly-flawless editing, an uplifting, tension-filled story... there's so much to love (if you can suspend disbelief a little more than usual, which I was willing to do because everything else was so great). I've had "Insurgent" sitting on my TBR pile ever since, but life has been a whirlwind with getting my own projects into their next stages of life. However, as of this weekend, I'll have a couple of major deadlines behind me. I think it's time for a break. An Insurgent break.
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Have you read any of this series? What did you think?
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#imstillayoungadult #divergent #veronicaroth #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #igreads

Great news! The Undine's Tear is now available for ARC readers. That means you get to read it for free in exchange for an honest review. If you are looking for a thrilling, magical read this weekend, go sign up:
http://eepurl.com/dDlUbr
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About the book:
Calandra is the most powerful undine healer in three thousand years—her people's last hope for salvation. In order to save them from the humans they fear, she must choose between enslaving the man she loves or trusting a cryptic, seditious message left behind by the mother who abandoned her as a baby. But if she can't find the brother she's never met, she doesn't have a hope in Tartarus—and all the powerful healers go mad eventually. Can she save everyone before she goes crazy and kills them all?
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More at www.talenawinters.com/undines-tear
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Happy reading!
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#freebook #arccopy #writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #theundinestear #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori #watchers #demons

Who knew that such a shapeless blob could be so flattering on the feet? The newly re-edited Graceful Slippers, now available in worsted and bulky weights, is now in the store. Looking for a fast project for the weekend? Check it out. :-)
www.talenawinters.com/graceful-slippers
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#gracefulslippers #knittingpattern #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

This week is already off to a busy but pretty wonderful start. I got to spend time with some good friends yesterday, and later, my sweet but forgetful grandmother (who is recovering from a bad fall last week). Then I got to work on another friend's manuscript and coach her on her writing, which is always rewarding and fun. I love teaching and editing.
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Today, I should finish the first draft of The Waterboy, the prequel short story (ha! More like novella!) I'm writing for The Undine's Tear. Speaking of which, by the end of the week, The Undine's Tear will be going out to ARC readers. Want to read it for free? Sign up for my ARC newsletter at www.talenawinters.com/undines-tear. (Link at the top of the page.)
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Happy Monday, friends! What's new with you?
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#writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #theundinestear #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori #amediting #editing #freelanceeditor

The view from my desk chair this morning. Yes, my office windows suck, but they get pretty frost patterns on them.
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By the end of today, I should be 3/4 of the way through the short story prequel to The Undine's Tear that I'm writing. Pretty excited about that. Any day writing fiction in a warm room is better than, well, just about anything else I can think of. And by the end of next week, I might even have a cover reveal for you. (Yes, I got a cover made for an exclusive-to-my-newsletter-subscribers short story. I love them that much.)
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What are you up to today?
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#writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #theundinestear #thewaterboy #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori